David claek and thomas stephenson



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

DAVID CLARK AND THOMAS STEFHENSON, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

MODE OF OPERATING THE SWELL OF MELODEONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 46,335, dated February 14, 1865.

To all whom it may concern,.-

Beit known that we, DANIEL CLARK ard TrioMAs STErHENsoN, ot' the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Method of Operating the Swell of Melodeons and other Similar Musical Instruments; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal section representing a melodeon with our improvement therein shown in elevation. Fig. 1l is a crosssectioii,partly in elevation. Fig. IlI is a topplan partly in section.

'ating the swell of melodeons and other similar musical instruments by means of connecting the swell to the bellows-pedals, so that the performer will have entire control over at pleasure without interfering with the ordinary use of the bellows.

A represents the outside case ot'a inelodeoii,

having a wind-bellows.

B represents the swell or swell-box, which is of common construction, and is placed on the top of the instrument.

B represent the two flaps or valves of the l swell, which are of common construction, and

h2, so that when the right pedal is pressed downwardly to the extent required the valves of the swell will be opened, and when the left pedal is pressed downwardly to the extent required the valves of the swell will be closed.

A short strap, L, is connected with the bellows and pedal straps F, and also to the levers G and G', which are for the purpose ot' foiming or completing the connection between the bellows-pedals and the swell. There is sufficient length given to these straps to allow the bellowspedals to work through sufficient distance for all the ordinary pur` poses ot' the bellows7 without in the least at'- fecting the swell; but when it is required l to open the swell, then the movement of the right pedal is extended a little downwardly Letters of like naine and kind refer to like i by the foot, or sutiiciently for the strap Lv to pull upon the lever G, and this, through the crank-wheel I, rod K, and levers H H', bet'oie described, will immediately act upon the flaps or valves ot' the swell to open them, slightly or fully, as may be desired by the operator, and then an extended movethe swell by an extended movement ot1 the i pedals, and thereby open and close the swell ment downwardly of the left pedal will, in the same manner, close the swell-valves, the springs O acting` upon the valves to assist in closing them, and thus the operator, through the movements ot' the bellows-pedals, has enorgan, or other similar musical instrument` tire control over the swell.

.At M is shown a tension-cord running over the tensionpulley N and crank-wheel I, with a tightening-screw, as shown at I. By this arrangement the tension may be adjusted so have pressure or closing springs thereon, as

shown at O.

D represents the bellows, and E and E the bellows-pedals.

F represents a strap, which connects each Two levers, G and G', are placed on each side of and connected to the crank-wheel I by means of a slot in the lever and a crankpin in the wheel, as shown at t' i, and have These levers have on the end of the swell-valve, and the other 1 end passing under the adjusting screw-nati that the flaps or valves of the swell will remain in the precise position, either partly or fully open, as the operator desires.

It is evident that other devices for couiieeting the swell to the bellows-pedals may be used than are here particularly described;

land we do not therefore confine ourselves pedal with the bellows in a common manner.

to these particular means, as other equivalent means iiiay be used, the principle and idea of our improvement being to operate the swell by means ot' connections to the bellows-pedals.

Vhat we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Operating the swell of melodeons and other similar -inusical instruments by means of the bellows-pedals, substantially as described.

DANIEL CLARK. THOS. STEPHENSON. Titnesses E. B. FoRBUsH, GEO. W. WALLACE. 

